S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,934
Posts550,854
Members14,460
|
Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Boxlock
|
Boxlock
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 21 |
Used steel in the wma's in the Dakotas and 3's or 2's work fine. Remember the pattern will tighten, too, and it seems, like with ducks, you might get a few more delayed deaths since the steel doesn't deform like lead, so keep an eye on them even as they sail over the next field. Sometimes they'll fade and the pooch can make a 300 yard retrieve! Steel is lighter so gets to the bird faster but slows down faster at distance , so for the most part, on the regular shots you won't notice much difference, the longer shots maybe a little less oomph hitting the bird.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 84
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 84 |
sorry; should have mentioned that I shoot a 16 ga O/U....
GaryO
NRA
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 14
Boxlock
|
Boxlock
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 14 |
Look into Bismuth if you can. You don't shoots cases of shells hunting so the cost per shell should not break you. Bismuth 5 or 4's should work well and are kind to old doubles. Definitely the way to go if the bank balance permits: no need to go crazy in terms of heavier loads and you don't have the choke restrictions associated with steel (i.e. you can safely put bismuth though 3/4 or full chokes) and you can use with damascus. Nice overview of the options here https://basc.org.uk/lead/ (the Lead Shot Alternatives guide is pretty comprehensive). We have to use non-tox for 'fowl over here so have put a good number of bismuth through. Never had any problems with cleanliness of kills and, if lead were banned for other game (fortunately not on the cards at present) I'd have no concerns using bismuth.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 107
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 107 |
I also use Bismuth for pheasants. I have had great success with Eley fiber wad, 1oz., #5's. I usually shoot less than a flat per season so it doesn't add that much to the cost. Waterfowl are an entirely different story. I would go broke shooting Bismuth at them.
Dennis
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133 |
Roster's study, mentioned above, is pretty old. Steel loads are much better now than they were when he did that study (I think about 20 years ago). And he also used 1 oz loads, assuming that most pheasant hunters would go with the cheap stuff. (And back then, steel was significantly more expensive than lead.) It was a blind study (shooters didn't know what they were shooting), and compared shot sizes 2, 4, and 6.
One interesting result from the study was that there were almost no birds lost with any of those loads inside of 30 yards. Beyond 40 yards, different story. Wounding loss rate on those longer range birds was something like 15%.
Comparing to today's loads is difficult because of the improvements in steel shotshells. I have a friend who shoots nothing but steel at pheasants. He's a decent shot, but not outstanding. Certainly misses from time to time. Uses 1 1/8 oz 4's, shoots dozens of wild roosters in a season, and seldom loses a bird. I would add that he hunts over a very good wirehair.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Steel is of course much lighter in weight than lead. The going up two sizes is to bring them to similar weights per pellet. Going up 3 sizes brings them much closer ballistically. Having less sectional density steel of course "Sheds" velocity much quicker than does lead. This is why it has to be started faster. It Doesn't "Get to the Target Quicker" because it is lighter. If started at similar velocities the lead will get there quicker because it is "Heavier". Although admittedly much more drastic but throw a golf ball & a ping pong ball with the same force & you will very quickly see the difference sectional density makes.
Miller/TN I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,996 Likes: 493
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,996 Likes: 493 |
Subtract 2 for shot size and go up two for velocity
So #4 Steel at 1400 fps
Mike This works for me very well in my Merkel. I will add, open up your chokes one level as well. Modified or improved modified will shoot tighter than they would with lead.
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan) =>/
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Boxlock
|
Boxlock
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 21 |
I've never seen factory 16 ga steel? Anybody make it?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,056 Likes: 338
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,056 Likes: 338 |
Out there doing it best I can.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,383 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,383 Likes: 2 |
sorry; should have mentioned that I shoot a 16 ga O/U.... Unless it can handle modern steel or HeviShot loads I would trade this for light weight 12ga or 20ga. You will be better off in the long run. Now is not bad time to do it. I predict there will be a flood of used 16ga guns for sale in near future.
|
|
|
|
|